Police: Fresno man jailed after pulling gun on tow truck driver

A Fresno man was arrested early Sunday on weapons charges after he pointed a gun at a tow truck driver at a southeast Fresno apartment complex, police said.

Silverio Valdez, 39, of Fresno, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded and concealed firearm, possessing a firearm in vehicle and assault with a deadly weapon in east-central Fresno around 1:20 a.m.

Around 12:50 a.m. Valdez parked behind a tow truck at the Silver Lake apartment complex in the 5400 block of East Belmont Avenue, Fresno police said. The tow truck driver approached Valdez’s car to tell Valdez that he would soon be out of his way.

Valdez immediately pointed a gun at the tow truck driver and cursed at him, Fresno police said. The victim backed away from the vehicle and called police.

After Valdez drove out of the complex, the victim followed him and remained on the phone with Fresno police. Officers stopped Valdez near Chestnut and McKinley avenues and arrested him, Fresno police said. A loaded .38-caliber revolver and speed loader were found in the center console.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. The “Felon with a Gun” program offers a $500 reward for information that leads to a firearm-related arrest.